Issue 98 “UNION NEWS” April 2018

Dear Parishioner(s)

Easter and Holy Week
Next week is a very important time in the Christian year. This Sunday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins. Each day next week there will be special Services in the Parish, leading us through the Passion of Christ to the celebration of His Resurrection on Easter Day.

I invite you to make Holy Week a time for prayer and reflection, and encourage you to attend church each day.

Children’s Musical Passion
The Musical Passion will be held next Sunday 25th March at 12.00 noon in All Saints’ Church. This is always a very poignant musical and I hope you will come to support the young people of the Parish. After the musical the Parents’ Council of All Saints’ School will hold a Cake Sale. During Lent the young people in All Saints’ have been collecting money for Meals on Wheels in the Mullingar area. After the musical we are hoping to circle the church with all the proceeds of the children’s collection.

Palm Sunday Faith Reflection
In All Saints’ next Sunday evening, 25th March at 7.00 p.m., everyone is invited to a time of quiet reflection on Faith. Canon Lawrence and Charles Marshall and myself will be offering our personal reflections. Anyone who would like to share their reflection will be most welcome to do so. However if you just wish to attend and listen you will also be most welcome to do so.

The Days of Holy Week
On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week there will be two Services held each day in All Saints’ – Morning Prayer at 8.30 a.m. and a short time for Sacred Music and Words at 12.00 noon.

Holy Thursday
A Service of Holy Communion will be held in each church.-
All Saints’ 8.30a.m. and 12 noon,
Kilbixy 10.30a.m.
Almoritia 5p.m.
Killucan 8p.m.

Good Friday
At the conclusion of the Services in the Parish on Good Friday, at 8.00 p.m., in All Saints’ there is the opportunity to attend a time of Sacred Music and Sacred Words, with the Senior Parish Choir and members of the Mullingar Choral Society. This Service has now been held for many years and provides a prayerful opportunity at the end of Good Friday.
All Saints’ 10.30a.m. and 8p.m.
Kixbixy 12noon -Holy Hour
Killucan 1p.m. – Holy Hour
Almoritia 5p.m.

Holy Saturday
I invite everyone in the Parish to come and decorate our churches for Easter Day. The decoration in All Saints’, Killucan and Almoritia will start at 10.00 a.m. and everyone will be most welcome.

Easter Day
Special celebrations will be held in each church and I hope parishioners will all make a special effort to attend church on this very important Sunday for Christians.

Killucan Coffee Morning
This Saturday, 24th March, from 11.00 a.m. – 1.00 p.m., the parishioners of Killucan invite you to come and visit the lovely church of St. Etchen.
Friendship and welcome will be offered to everyone.

Lenten Bible Study
Lenten Bible Study will be held on Saturday 24th March in All Saints’ from 10.30 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. Everyone will be most welcome.

Confirmation
A special day for those preparing for Confirmation will be held in All Saints’ on Saturday 14th April. The young people will be joined by other candidates from around the Diocese and the day will be led by Emma Rothwell, the Chaplain of Wilson’s Hospital. If there is anyone who would to make their confirmation this year but hasn’t informed me please let me know as soon as possible.

All Saints’ Choir Meeting
A special meeting of the Choir will be held at 7.30 p.m. on Wednesday 18th April in All Saints’.

Coffee on Thursdays
The very popular Coffee Mornings will continue to be held every Thursday in All Saints’. All donations are given to charity. On Thursday 19th April the charity to benefit will be the Westmeath Protestant Orphans Society. The Society is one of the oldest charities in Ireland and has provided much needed support to families over the years. The work of the Society is still very active and parishioners’ support at the Coffee Morning will be greatly appreciated. Please spread the word and invite your friends and neighbours as well.

Select Vestry
The next meeting of the Select Vestry will be held on Monday 16th April at 8.00 p.m. in the Rectory.

General Easter Vestry The General Easter Vestry Meeting will be held on Monday 30th April at 8.00 p.m. in All Saints’.

Parish Sale of Work
The annual Parish Sale of Work will be held in All Saints’ on Saturday 12th May from 10.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. We look forward to the support of parishioners and the community. The money raised will support the important work the Parish is undertaking. If you would like to help at the Sale please contact Emma Coburn on 087 6374131 who has kindly agreed to act as Organiser again this year.

Bereavement
Everyone in the Parish, particularly in Killucan Parish, was saddened at the sudden death of George Cowen. George moved to his farm at Balrath fifty years ago and was a staunch and generous supporter of Killucan Parish. The very large congregation at his funeral showed the admiration and affection in which George was held and we will all greatly miss his company and conversation. We offer our deepest sympathy to all the members of his family at this time and also to his many many dear friends in Killucan Parish. George was a person of great faith and we pray that, now in the fuller presence of God, he may rest in peace.

All Saints’ Sunday School- JAM & Boys Brigade
We hope to reconvene in the next few weeks when Garda Vetting is complete.

Thursday CoffeeCoffee is served every Thursday in All Saints’, from 10.30 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. Do join us for coffee and help support those organisations helping people in need in Mullingar. Your Hosts are Arthur and Marian and they bring with them a wonderful assortment of homemade delights.

Tiny Tots Club – EASTER BREAK will resume again on friday the 13th AprilEach Friday morning during School Term from 10.00am – 12.00 noon in All Saints’ there is a lovely occasion for parents and their young children to meet. I extend a very warm invitation to all the younger parents in the Parish. You will be most welcome. You can Contact Zoe on 0852026188

Website
You may like to keep in touch with the Parish through the website and your family and friends may also like to have the web address. The address is www.mullingarunionofparishes.net. I encourage you to continue to look at the website and to also advise your family and friends about it.